Exodus 10:24

KJV

And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Pharaoh {H6547} called {H7121} unto Moses {H4872}, and said {H559}, Go {H3212} ye, serve {H5647} the LORD {H3068}; only let your flocks {H6629} and your herds {H1241} be stayed {H3322}: let your little ones {H2945} also go {H3212} with you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh summoned Moshe and said, "Go, worship ADONAI; only leave your flocks and herds behind - your children may go with you."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your little ones may go with you; only your flocks and herds must stay behind.”

American Standard Version

And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve Jehovah; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the devastating ninth plague of darkness, Pharaoh, under immense divine pressure, summons Moses and offers his most significant concession yet: permission for all Israelites, including their children, to depart and worship the LORD. However, this offer is still incomplete and strategic, as Pharaoh insists on retaining their valuable flocks and herds, revealing his persistent resistance to God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for total, unreserved devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point within the escalating narrative of the plagues, specifically following the profound and terrifying ninth plague of darkness that enveloped Egypt for three days, contrasting sharply with the light in Goshen where the Israelites resided ([Exodus 10:21-23](/exodus/10-21-23 "The Plague of Darkness")). Pharaoh's summons to Moses in [Exodus 10:24](/exodus/10-24 "Pharaoh's Partial Concession") is a direct consequence of this overwhelming display of Yahweh's power, which targeted the very heart of Egyptian cosmology, particularly the sun god Ra. This is Pharaoh's third major offer, each one incrementally broader but consistently falling short of God's non-negotiable demand for a complete exodus. His earlier concessions were limited to men only ([Exodus 10:11](/exodus/10-11 "Pharaoh's First Partial Offer")) or the people but without venturing far ([Exodus 8:28](/exodus/8-28 "Pharaoh's Second Partial Offer")). Here, he expands the permission to include "little ones," demonstrating the extreme duress he is under, but strategically attempts to retain the livestock. Moses's unequivocal refusal to leave "not a hoof behind" ([Exodus 10:26](/exodus/10-26 "Moses' Refusal to Leave Any Livestock Behind")) immediately sets the stage for the announcement of the tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn ([Exodus 11:1-10](/exodus/11-1-10 "The Tenth Plague Announced")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, livestock was far more than mere property; it represented the cornerstone of wealth, economic stability, and agricultural sustenance. For a nomadic or semi-nomadic people like the Israelites, their flocks and herds were their primary capital, providing food, clothing, and the means for trade. Crucially, these animals were also indispensable for religious sacrifices, forming the core of the prescribed worship rituals to Yahweh. Pharaoh's insistence on keeping the animals was a calculated move to maintain leverage over the Israelites, ensuring their eventual return by crippling their economic independence and, more significantly, by rendering them incapable of performing the required sacrifices to their God in the wilderness. This act highlights Pharaoh's deep-seated refusal to acknowledge Yahweh's absolute authority over all aspects of life, including Egypt's economy and Israel's religious freedom. Furthermore, in the honor-shame culture of the ancient Near East, Pharaoh's reputation and divine status were intricately tied to his power and control. A full concession would have been an unprecedented loss of face, making his partial, bargaining offers a desperate attempt to salvage some semblance of his authority.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's absolute sovereignty** versus human resistance. Pharaoh's repeated attempts to negotiate and dictate terms for Israel's release highlight his futile struggle against the omnipotent will of Yahweh. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **total liberation for total worship**. Israel's freedom was not an end in itself but a means to serve and worship the LORD without reservation. Pharaoh's desire to retain the livestock directly challenged this purpose, as the animals were essential for the sacrificial system. This struggle over possessions foreshadows the biblical principle that true worship demands the dedication of all aspects of one's life and resources, as seen in the later commands for Israel to offer their firstfruits and tithes. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's unwavering faithfulness** to His covenant promises, as He systematically dismantles Pharaoh's power and delivers His people, despite Pharaoh's hardening heart and persistent defiance, ultimately leading to the grand exodus event described in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "The Passover and Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Exodus 10:24](/exodus/10-24 "Pharaoh's Partial Concession") captures a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict between God and Pharaoh, marked by Pharaoh's desperate, yet ultimately futile, attempts to bargain with divine power.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **serve (Hebrew, _‘âbad_):** This Hebrew verb (H5647) carries a rich semantic range, encompassing "to work (in any sense)," "to serve," "to till," and "to enslave." By implication, it also means "to worship." Moses consistently uses _‘âbad_ to describe Israel's purpose in leaving Egypt—not merely to escape physical bondage, but to dedicate themselves fully to the service and worship of God. Pharaoh's command, "Go ye, serve the LORD," acknowledges the religious aspect but still attempts to dictate the terms of that service, highlighting the irony that he wants them to serve Yahweh, but on *his* terms, not Yahweh's.
* **flocks (Hebrew, _tsôʼn_):** This term (H6629) is a collective name for small livestock, specifically "a flock (of sheep or goats)."
* **herds (Hebrew, _bâqâr_):** This term (H1241) refers to "beef cattle or an animal of the ox family," collectively, "a herd." Together, "flocks and herds" represent the entirety of Israel's valuable livestock, which were crucial for their economic well-being and, critically, for the sacrificial system required for their worship of the LORD. Pharaoh's insistence on them being "stayed" reveals his desire to cripple Israel's economic independence and prevent their full, unhindered worship.
* **stayed (Hebrew, _yâtsag_):** This primitive root (H3322) means "to place permanently; establish, leave, make, present, put, set, stay." Pharaoh's demand that the flocks and herds "be stayed" means he wants them to be left behind, permanently placed in Egypt, thereby retaining a vital economic asset and, more importantly, the means by which Israel would offer sacrifices to God. This would either force their return or render their worship incomplete and unacceptable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said,"**: The immediate summons by Pharaoh indicates his desperation and the profound impact of the plague of darkness. He is initiating contact, a clear sign of his weakening resolve and the immense pressure he is under, though it does not yet signify true submission to Yahweh.
* **"Go ye, serve the LORD;"**: This clause represents Pharaoh's most significant concession to date. He is finally willing to permit *all* the people, including the children mentioned later in the verse, to depart for the stated purpose of worshiping Yahweh. This is a substantial step beyond his previous, more limited offers, acknowledging that the entire community is involved in this divine obligation.
* **"only let your flocks and your herds be stayed:"**: This is the critical qualifier and the enduring point of contention. Pharaoh attempts to impose a severe limitation on Israel's freedom and their ability to worship fully. By retaining their livestock, he not only keeps a vital economic asset under his control but also withholds the very means by which Israel would offer the required sacrifices to God. This strategic move aims to ensure Israel's return or, failing that, to render their worship incomplete and unacceptable to Yahweh.
* **"let your little ones also go with you."**: This concluding phrase highlights the expansion of Pharaoh's concession. He had previously refused to allow the children to go, fearing a loss of future labor and a complete break from his control over the Israelite population. His allowing the children to accompany the adults underscores the overwhelming pressure he is experiencing from the plagues and the increasing desperation to end them.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs a recurring **negotiation motif** that characterizes the interactions between Pharaoh and Moses throughout the plague narrative. This verse is a prime example of Pharaoh's **bargaining** and **partial obedience**, which stands in stark contrast to God's unwavering demand for **total surrender**. The phrase "only let your flocks and your herds be stayed" functions as a form of **synecdoche**, where a part (the livestock) is used to represent the whole (Israel's complete economic independence and their full capacity for worship). Pharaoh's offer, despite its apparent generosity in allowing the children to go, is ultimately a **false compromise**, strategically designed to appear conciliatory while still undermining the core demand for unhindered worship and complete freedom. The entire exchange also highlights **dramatic irony**, as Pharaoh believes he is negotiating from a position of power, while the audience knows he is merely delaying the inevitable and intensifying God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates several core theological truths. Primarily, it underscores **God's demand for total and unreserved devotion**. Pharaoh's persistent attempts to withhold a portion of Israel's possessions (their livestock) or their people (initially women and children) reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of true worship and surrender. God does not accept partial obedience or negotiated terms; He demands the whole of His people and their resources for His service. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true worship is not merely ritualistic but involves the complete dedication of one's life, leaving nothing withheld. The conflict over the livestock highlights the **costly nature of worship**, as the animals were essential for the sacrifices, symbolizing that genuine worship often requires giving up something valuable. Pharaoh's desire to keep the livestock also points to the **idolatry of possessions and control**. He values his economic assets and his power over the clear command of the Almighty, foreshadowing the ongoing human tendency to cling to worldly comforts or perceived securities rather than fully trusting and obeying God. This struggle ultimately serves to demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the wealth and power of nations.

* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Pharaoh's desperate bargaining in [Exodus 10:24](/exodus/10-24 "Pharaoh's Partial Concession") serves as a timeless mirror for our own spiritual lives. Like Pharaoh, we often find ourselves in a tug-of-war with God, tempted to offer partial obedience or negotiate terms for our surrender. We might be willing to give God our time, but not our finances; our talents, but not our deepest desires; our Sunday mornings, but not our Monday through Saturday lives. The "flocks and herds" in our modern context can represent anything we cling to—our careers, relationships, comfort zones, personal ambitions, or even our pride and need for control. This verse challenges us to consider what we might be withholding from God. True freedom and genuine worship are found not in holding onto pieces of our lives, but in releasing *all* to the Lord's complete authority. Any attempt to bargain with God or keep back part of what belongs to Him ultimately hinders our spiritual journey, prevents us from experiencing the fullness of His blessings, and limits our capacity to fulfill His purpose for our lives. God calls us to a life of full surrender, where "not a hoof shall be left behind" ([Exodus 10:26](/exodus/10-26 "Moses' refusal to leave any livestock behind")), signifying that every aspect of our being and every resource we possess is consecrated to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "flocks and herds" (resources, desires, areas of control) might I be tempted to withhold from God's full authority in my life today?**
* **How does Pharaoh's bargaining reflect a common human tendency to try and negotiate with God, and what are the spiritual consequences of such attempts?**
* **In what ways does my worship reflect a "not a hoof left behind" commitment, or where might I be offering only partial devotion?**

### FAQ
**Why was the livestock so important to God's demand?**

Answer: The livestock were crucial for two primary reasons. First, they were the indispensable means by which the Israelites would offer sacrifices to the LORD in the wilderness, as commanded by God. Without them, true worship as prescribed by the Mosaic Law would be impossible, effectively preventing Israel from fulfilling the very purpose of their liberation. Second, the animals represented significant wealth and economic independence for the Israelite community. By demanding that "not a hoof shall be left behind" ([Exodus 10:26](/exodus/10-26 "Moses' refusal to leave any livestock behind")), God was asserting His absolute sovereignty over all aspects of Israel's life, including their economic resources, and ensuring their complete and irreversible separation from Egyptian control and influence.

**Did Pharaoh truly believe in the LORD's power by this point?**

Answer: Pharaoh's actions throughout the plagues suggest a grudging acknowledgment of the LORD's immense, even terrifying, power, but not a genuine belief in or submission to Him as the one true God. His primary motivation was to stop the plagues and preserve his kingdom, not to worship Yahweh. His repeated attempts to bargain, negotiate, and maintain leverage over Israel indicate that his heart remained hardened against truly recognizing Yahweh's supreme authority and releasing Israel unconditionally. He viewed Yahweh as a powerful deity to be appeased, a force to be managed, rather than the sovereign Lord to be obeyed and worshiped.

**Why did God seemingly harden Pharaoh's heart, preventing him from letting Israel go sooner?**

Answer: The concept of God hardening Pharaoh's heart is a complex theological point, with scriptural passages indicating both that God hardened Pharaoh's heart and that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. This duality suggests that God's hardening was not an arbitrary act against an innocent party, but rather a divine response that confirmed and intensified Pharaoh's pre-existing rebellion, pride, and resistance to God's will. It allowed God to display His power and glory more fully through the escalating plagues, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations and gods. This process ultimately led to Israel's complete deliverance and ensured that God's name would be proclaimed throughout the earth, as stated in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose in Raising Pharaoh").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Pharaoh's partial concession in [Exodus 10:24](/exodus/10-24 "Pharaoh's Partial Concession") and God's demand for total surrender finds profound fulfillment and amplification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "not a hoof left behind" principle, symbolizing a complete and unreserved offering, is perfectly embodied by Jesus. Unlike Pharaoh, who clung to his power and possessions, Jesus completely surrendered His will to the Father, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's obedience to death on a cross")). His entire life was a perfect act of worship and obedience, holding nothing back, demonstrating what true, unreserved devotion to God looks like. Furthermore, the conflict over the necessity of livestock for worship in Exodus points forward to Jesus Himself becoming the ultimate, all-sufficient sacrifice. His death on the cross is the perfect, once-for-all atonement for sin, rendering all other animal offerings obsolete ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's superior sacrifice")). Through His complete offering, we are given access to God, not through partial human offerings, but through His perfect and complete one. Just as God demanded Israel's complete liberation for worship, Christ calls His followers to a complete and unreserved discipleship. The "not a hoof left behind" principle translates into the New Testament call to "take up your cross daily and follow me" ([Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Take up your cross daily")). This means surrendering every aspect of our lives—our ambitions, resources, relationships, and even our very selves—to Christ's lordship. We are liberated from the bondage of sin and self not for partial freedom, but for total devotion and service to God, empowered by the Spirit and in light of Christ's own complete sacrifice, which stands in stark contrast to the futile, partial offers of Pharaoh.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 10:8

And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: [but] who [are] they that shall go?

Exodus 10:10

And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look [to it]; for evil [is] before you.

Exodus 8:28

And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.

Genesis 34:23

[Shall] not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs [be] ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.

Exodus 9:28

Intreat the LORD (for [it is] enough) that there be no [more] mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.